The sum of three consecutive integers is equal to their product. How many such possibilities are there?
Correct Answer :
Only three
Solution :
The correct option is Only three.
Let us denote the three consecutive integers as , , and , where is an integer.
According to the problem statement, the sum of these three consecutive integers is equal to their product. We can set up this relationship mathematically:
First, simplify the left side of the equation by adding the terms together:
Next, simplify the right side of the equation using the difference of squares identity, :
Now, equate the simplified left side and right side:
Rearrange the terms to form a polynomial equation set to zero:
Factor out the common term from the expression:
Further factor the quadratic part using the difference of squares:
This equation yields three distinct integer solutions for :
1)
2)
3)
Let us determine the three consecutive integers corresponding to each value of and verify them:
Case 1: For , the integers are , , and .
Sum:
Product: (Valid)
Case 2: For , the integers are , , and .
Sum:
Product: (Valid)
Case 3: For , the integers are , , and .
Sum:
Product: (Valid)
Thus, there are exactly three such possibilities.
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